Catalyst containing closure plug for storage battery and method of operating storage battery

Claim 1

Closure plug for a storage battery comprising: a body member adapted to fit into an opening of a battery and having means defining a chamber within the body which is adapted to extend below the liquid level of an electrolyte in a battery, said chamber having at least one opening below the liquid level of the electrolyte to permit a portion of the electrolyte to enter a portion of said chamber; means defining an upper enclosure in said chamber of said body, said upper enclosure containing a catalyst for recombining evolved hydrogen and oxygen gases from said battery to form water vapor; directing means in communication with said chamber and at least adjacent said chamber for directing said evolved oxygen and hydrogen gases to said upper enclosure; a closed non-vented water vapor communication means at least partially defined by said chamber defining means and extending into said electrolyte, said communication means being at least partially located at the end of said body at a level below said upper enclosure to provide a closed conduit to conduct all of the water vapor from said upper enclosure to the portion of said body member which extends below said surface of said electrolyte to bring all of said water vapor into contact with said electrolyte in said chamber to condense said water vapor and intermix condensed with vapor with.